Vertu Motors is expanding its operations in Scotland with the purchase of the Dunfermline Peugeot business.

The £300,000 cash deal marks the seventh outlet north of the border to be bought up this year by the UK’s eighth largest UK motor group.

It will now run the £3.5 million turnover business, previously owned by Hardie Motor Group, under the trading name of Macklin Motors.

The latest acquisition is the eighth Peugeot dealership to be added to the group’s portfolio and brings the total number of sales outlets across the UK to 69.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, said: “We are delighted to expand further with Peugeot, which we believe is very well positioned with its exciting and expanding product range.

“This new Peugeot dealership is excellently located, and adds to our brand’s presence in Scotland following our purchase of Paisley Peugeot in April.

Forrester added: “We have made a substantial number of acquisitions in the last year, which have been integrated into the Vertu Motors management and systems platform, and are on track to provide a significant boost to the Group’s long term profitability.”